Device for providing tactile stimulation

ABSTRACT

A tactile stimulation providing apparatus includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of actuator cases respectively corresponding to the plurality of actuators. Each of the actuator cases includes: a cap covering an upper portion of a corresponding actuator; and a base covering a lower portion of the actuator, the base being connected to the cap to fix the actuator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/209,729 filed on Mar. 23, 2021, which is a division of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/318,334 filed on Jan. 16, 2019 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,990,178 on Apr. 27, 2021. The '334 application is anational stage application of PCT/KR2017/008251 filed on Jul. 31, 2017,which claims priority of Korean patent application number10-2016-0098572 filed on Aug. 2, 2016. The disclosure of each of theforegoing application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates a tactile stimulation providing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

A tactile stimulation providing apparatus includes a plurality ofactuators, and selectively vibrates the plurality of actuators, therebyproviding a tactile stimulation to a user.

Prior Document 1 (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015-0123774, May 7, 2015)discloses a tactile stimulation providing apparatus in the form of achair. In Prior Document 1, the tactile stimulation providing apparatusgenerates an active pattern by detecting a sound, and applies the activepattern to a plurality of vibrating motors, thereby providing a tactilestimulation to a user. The vibrating motor corresponds to an actuator.

Referring to FIG. 1 of Prior Document 1, the tactile stimulationproviding apparatus includes six vibrating motors. Referring to FIG. 6of Prior Document 1, there is illustrated a sectional view in thevicinity of each vibrating motor. Also, the tactile stimulationproviding apparatus additionally includes six voice coil motors that aredevices for transferring vibrations to a user, such as the vibratingmotors. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 of Prior Document 1, there isillustrated a sectional view in the vicinity of each voice coil motor.

Referring to FIG. 6 of Prior Document 1, the bottom of the vibratingmotor is adhered to a hard foam, the side of the vibrating motor isfixed to a soft foam while being surrounded by the soft foam, and thetop of the vibrating motor is covered with a pad front cover.

Since the foams around the vibrating motor absorb a vibration, thisstructure is applicable only when the size and strength of the vibratingmotor is large. When the vibrating motors are arranged at a sufficientdistance, the user can distinguish vibrations of the individualvibrating motors from one another. On the other hand, when the vibratingmotors are densely arranged, the user has difficulty in distinguishingvibrations of the individual vibrating motors from one another due to asomewhat large size and strong vibration of the vibrating motor.Therefore, it is difficult to provide a tactile stimulation having highresolution.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 of Prior Document 1, the voice coil motorshaving a size and a vibration strength, which are somewhat smaller thanthose of the vibrating motors, are not directly fixed to the hard foambut fixed to an acryl plate, to be surrounded by the hard foam and thesoft foam.

Since a vibration is less absorbed than a case where the voice coilmotor is in direct contact with the foam, this structure is applicableto a motor having a relatively small vibration strength, and thus motorscan be more densely arranged. However, as a vibration of an individualmotor is transferred to a place at which other motors around theindividual motor exist through the acryl plate, it is difficult todistinguish vibrations of the individual motors from one another.Therefore, it is still difficult to provide a tactile stimulation havinghigh resolution.

In addition, the local transfer of a vibration has a deep correlationwith the degree of close contact between the tactile stimulationproviding apparatus and a body of a user. However, Prior Document 1 isproblematic in that a solution for allowing the tactile stimulationproviding apparatus to be in close contact with the body of the user isnot proposed.

Technical Problem

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tactilestimulation providing apparatus capable of allowing a user to easilydistinguish outputs of a plurality of actuators from one another evenwhen the plurality of actuators are densely arranged, being adheredclosely to a body of the user, and allowing each actuator to movefreely.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided atactile stimulation providing apparatus including a plurality ofactuators and a plurality of actuator cases respectively correspondingto the plurality of actuators, wherein each of the actuator casesincludes: a cap covering an upper portion of a corresponding actuator;and a base covering a lower portion of the actuator, the base beingconnected to the cap to fix the actuator.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include aplurality of module cases each including at least one of the actuatorcases. The base of the actuator case may be exposed to the outsidethrough an opening formed in a lower surface of a corresponding modulecase.

The cap of the actuator case may be connected to an upper surface of thecorresponding module case with a first elastic member interposedtherebetween, and the base of the actuator case may be connected to thelower surface of the corresponding module case with a second elasticmember interposed therebetween.

Each of the module cases may include two of the actuator cases, whichare disposed in a first direction. The actuator case may include sideopenings located in a second direction orthogonal to the firstdirection.

Each of the module cases may include a first wiring passage extending inthe second direction through the side openings. The module case mayshare the first wiring passage with an adjacent module case, to beconnected to the adjacent module case.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include acontroller for controlling driving of the plurality of actuators. Thecontroller may be electrically connected to the plurality of actuatorsthrough the first wiring passage.

Two module cases among the plurality of module cases may be connected toeach other by sharing a second wiring passage extending in the firstdirection.

The two module cases may be connected to each other through a hinge.

Each of the actuator cases may include at least one insertion hole at aside thereof.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include aplurality of tubes. Each of the actuator cases may share a tube fixed tothe insertion hole with an adjacent actuator case, to be connected tothe adjacent actuator case.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include acontroller for controlling driving of the plurality of actuators. Thecontroller may be electrically connected to the plurality of actuatorsthrough the plurality of tubes.

Each of the actuator cases may include an actuator accommodating spaceformed in the base. The cap may include a tube accommodating space atthe center thereof, and include at least one insertion holes connectedto the tube accommodating space at a side thereof.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include agrid-shaped tube structure extending in a third direction and a fourthdirection orthogonal to the third direction. The tube accommodatingspace and the insertion hole may be engaged with the tube structure at acorresponding grid intersection point, so that the position of each ofthe actuator cases with respect to the tube structure is fixed.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus may further include acontroller for controlling driving of the plurality of actuators. Thecontroller may be electrically connected to the plurality of actuatorsthrough the tube structure.

Advantageous Effects

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus according to the presentinvention can allow a user to easily distinguish outputs of a pluralityof actuators from one another even when the plurality of actuators aredensely arranged, be adhered closely to a body of the user, and alloweach actuator to move freely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a tactile stimulation providing apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the tactile stimulation providingapparatus mounted around an arm of a user according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a module case according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a section of the module case according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating two main module cases according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a disposition of a controller of thetactile stimulation providing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating a module case according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a partial section of the module caseaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a tactile stimulation providing apparatusmounted around an arm of a user according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an actuator case according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating a tactile stimulation providingapparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an actuator case according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views illustrating a coupling relationship betweenthe actuator case and a tube structure according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a ring-shaped actuator of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a hook part of FIG. 12 .

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the artmay easily practice the present invention. The present invention may beimplemented in various different forms and is not limited to theexemplary embodiments described in the present specification.

A part irrelevant to the description will be omitted to clearly describethe present invention, and the same or similar constituent elements willbe designated by the same reference numerals throughout thespecification. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used indifferent drawings to identify the same or similar elements.

In addition, the size and thickness of each component illustrated in thedrawings are arbitrarily shown for better understanding and ease ofdescription, but the present invention is not limited thereto.Thicknesses of several portions and regions are exaggerated for clearexpressions.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a tactile stimulation providing apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the tactile stimulation providing apparatus 10according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes aplurality of module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u, 14 u, 15 u, 16 u, 11 d, 12d, 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d. Each module case may be made of one ormore rigid materials including plastic, metal, and the like.

The plurality of module cases may include module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u,14 u, 15 u, and 16 u of a first row, which are arranged in a seconddirection d2, and module cases 11 d, 12 d, 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d ofa second row, which are arranged in parallel to the first row. Eachmodule case includes at least one actuator case and an actuatorcorresponding to the actuator case.

The module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u, 14 u, 15 u, and 16 u of the first rowshare bands UBa and UBb by allowing the bands UBa and UBb to be insertedthereinto at sides thereof. Thus, the module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u, 14u, 15 u, and 16 u of the first row can be flexibly connected to eachother. The bands UBa and UBb may be implemented with an elastic band ora non-elastic band being folded in advance. When the bands UBa and UBbare implemented with the elastic band, the bands UBa and UBb may beconfigured with one or more bands having flexibility, which include afabric band, a rubber band, a spring band. When the bands UBa and UBbare implemented with the non-elastic band, the bands UBa and UBb may bemade of a material such as urethane.

Also, the module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u, 14 u, 15 u, and 16 u of thefirst row may share a wiring passage UCP extending in the seconddirection d2 through side openings thereof.

The wiring passage UCP may include therein a wiring that electricallyconnects a plurality of actuators and a controller for controllingdriving of the plurality of actuators. The wiring may be provided in theform of a wire or be provided in the form of a Flexible Printed CircuitBoard (FPCB).

The wiring passage UCP may have insufficient flexibility as comparedwith the bands UBa and UBb, and hence the length of the wiring passageUCP may be determined to be sufficient corresponding to the expectedextension length of the bands UBa and UBb. The wiring passage UCP may beprovided in a shape having a plurality of wrinkles. A bellows structuremay be used as one shape having a plurality of wrinkles.

The module cases 11 d, 12 d, 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d of the secondrow share bands DBa and DBb by allowing the bands DBa and DBb to beinserted thereinto at sides thereof. Thus, the module cases 11 d, 12 d,13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d of the second row can be flexibly connectedto each other. Also, the module cases 11 d, 12 d, 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and16 d of the second row may share a wiring passage DCP extending in thesecond direction d2 through side openings thereof. Like theabove-described bands UBa and UBb, the bands DBa and DBb may beimplemented with an elastic band or a non-elastic band.

Like the wiring passage UCP, the wiring passage DCP may include thereina wiring that electrically connects a plurality of actuators and acontroller. The wirings in the wiring passages UCP and DCP may beconnected to a common controller. The controller may be located in anyone of the plurality of module cases. For example, two module cases 14 uand 14 d may share a wiring passage extending in a first direction d1.Accordingly, although the controller exists in any one module case, thecontroller can control driving of all the actuators through the wiringpassages extending in the first direction d1 and the second directiond2. The wiring passage extending in the second direction d2 may beformed inside or near a hinge HC that connects the module cases 14 u and14 d.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus 10 may include fasteningparts SCa and SCb fastenable to each other at both ends thereof in thesecond direction d2. The fastening parts SCa and SCb may be configuredas a pair of male and female rings. In addition, the fastening parts SCaand SCb may be configured using at least one existing fastening memberincluding a hook, a Velcro, a zipper, a clip, a button, a strap, amagnet, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the tactile stimulation providingapparatus mounted around a body of a user according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the tactile stimulation providing apparatus 10according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which ismounted around a body 9 of a user is illustrated. The fastening partsSCa and SCb may be in a state in which the fastening parts SCa and SCbare fastened to each other.

As the thickness of the body 9 of the user increases, the folded bandsUBa, UBb, DBb, and DBa are unfolded, so that the bands UBa, UBb, DBb,and DBa may be stretched. The plurality of module cases are adheredclosely to the body 9 of the user according to the flexibility of thebands UBa, UBb, DBb, and DBa, and the actuator cases protruding from themodule cases are also adhered closely to the body 9 of the user.

As will be described later, the tactile stimulation providing apparatus10 according to the first embodiment may include two actuator cases foreach module case. The module case is supported from the body 9 of theuser through the two actuator cases, and thus a vibration of eachactuator can be wholly transferred to the body 9 of the user.

When one module case includes three or more actuator cases, some of theactuator cases may not be adhered closely to the body 9 of the user. Forexample, this is because there may occur a case where the module caseare wholly supported from the body 9 of the user through arbitrary twoactuator cases without close adhesion of another actuator case due towinding of the body 9. Therefore, the tactile stimulation providingapparatus 10 according to the first embodiment preferably includes twoactuators disposed in the first direction d1 for each module case. Thedistance between the centers of the two actuator cases may be determinedas 3 to 4 cm.

In addition, when the module case includes only two actuator cases, thelength of the module case may be sufficiently shortened. When the lengthof the module case is sufficiently short, a separate membercorresponding to the winding of the body 9 of the user may not beincluded in the module case.

However, the module case 14 u and the module case 14 d include aseparate member called as the hinge HC, to correspond to the winding ofthe body 9 of the user in spite of a total of four actuator cases. Thehinge HC will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 .

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a module case according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating asection of the module case according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the module case 12 u according to the firstembodiment of the present invention includes actuator cases respectivelycorresponding to two actuators 123 ac and 124 ac between an upper case121 and a lower case 122. The two actuator cases may be disposed in thefirst direction d1.

The actuator cases include caps 123 c and 124 c that cover upperportions of the corresponding actuators 123 ac and 124 ac, and bases 123b and 124 b that cover lower portions of the actuators 123 ac and 124 acand are connected to the caps 123 c and 124 c to fix the actuators 123ac and 124 ac, respectively.

The actuator cases may be made of a rigid material identical ordifferent from that of the module case.

In the first embodiment, each of the bases 123 b and 124 b of theactuator cases may include an actuator accommodating space and acylinder-shaped structure extending in the lower direction. The bases123 b and 124 b may be exposed to the outside through openings 122 b 1and 122 b 2 of the lower surface 122 of the module case 12 u.

The bases 123 b and 124 b are adhered closely to the body 9 of the user,to perform a function of locally transferring vibrations of theactuators 123 ac and 124 ac to the body 9 of the user. As describedabove, the two bases 123 b and 124 b support the module case 12 u, to beefficiently adhered closely to the body 9 of the user.

When the actuator cases are in direct contact with the upper surface 121and the lower surface 122 of the module case 12 u, noise may occur whenthe actuators 123 ac and 124 ac vibrate, and vibration power may bedistributed to the whole of the module case 12 u. It is very difficultto locally transfer the vibrations of the actuators 123 ac and 124 ac tothe body 9 of the user.

Therefore, the tactile stimulation providing apparatus 10 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention may further includeelastic members 123 ue, 123 de, 124 ue, and 124 de. The caps 123 c and124 c of the actuator case may be connected to the upper surface 121 ofthe corresponding module case 12 u with the elastic members 123 ue and124 ue interposed therebetween. In addition, the bases 123 b and 124 bof the actuator cases may be connected to the lower surface 122 of thecorresponding module case 12 u with the elastic members 123 de and 124de interposed therebetween. The elastic members 123 ue, 123 de, 124 ue,and 124 de may be implemented using at least one member havingelasticity, which includes sponge, rubber, spring, and the like.

The elastic members 123 ue, 123 de, 124 ue, and 124 de prevent theactuator cases from being in direct contact with the upper surface 121and the lower surface 122 of the module case 12 u, so that thevibrations of the actuators 123 ac and 124 ac can be effectivelytransferred to the body 9 of the user.

The shape of the elastic members 123 ue and 124 ue may correspond to theshape of the caps 123 c and 124 c. For example, in this embodiment, theelastic members 123 ue and 124 ue are in a cylindrical form, so that theelastic members 123 ue and 124 ue may be inserted into the upperaccommodation space of the cap 123 c and 124 c, to be fixed.

The shape of the elastic members 123 de and 124 de may correspond to theshape of the caps 123 c and 124 c. For example, in this embodiment, theelastic members 123 de and 124 de may include openings into which thelower cylinder-shaped structures of the bases 123 b and 124 b can beinserted. The openings of the elastic members 123 de and 124 de may havea radius corresponding to the openings 122 b 1 and 122 b 2. Also, theouter shape of the elastic members 123 de and 124 de may be fittedcorresponding to the shape of the lower case 122 of the module case 12u.

In this embodiment, the actuators 123 ac and 124 ac fixed by the caps123 c and 124 c and the bases 123 b and 124 b may be a vibration motorthat is one of electric actuators. Those skilled in the art may employ apneumatic or hydraulic actuator as the actuators 123 ac and 124 ac.Therefore, one kind or plural kinds of actuators may be applied to theembodiment of the present invention.

The actuators 123 ac and 124 ac may be connected to a circuit unit 125through wirings 123 w and 124 w. The circuit unit 125 may be implementedwith a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a Flexible Printed Circuit Board(FPCB), an Integrated Circuit (IC), or the like. A circuit unit providedin each module case may be connected to the above-described controllerthrough the wiring passage. In another embodiment, each circuit unit mayserve as an independent controller.

When two actuator cases are disposed in the first direction d1, thecircuit unit 125 may be located between the two actuator cases in thefirst direction d1.

Also, the module case 12 u may include side openings located in thesecond direction d2 orthogonal to the first direction d1. The sideopenings may be configured such that grooves 121 s 1 and 121 s 2 of theupper case 121 and grooves 122 s 1 and 122 s 2 of the lower case 122 arelocated to correspond to each other. The circuit unit 125 may be locatedbetween the two side openings.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , the module cases 11 u, 12 u, 13 u, 14 u, 15u, and 16 u of the first row may share the wiring passage UCP throughthe respective side openings. In addition, the module cases 11 d, 12 d,13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d of the second row may share the wiringpassage DCP through the respective side openings.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating two main module cases according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , arbitrary two module cases 14 u and 14 d may bemain module cases. The module cases 14 u and 14 d that are the mainmodule cases may include a controller case 14 cc at the top thereof. Insome embodiments, the main module cases and the controller case 14 ccmay be separately configured or be integrally configured.

The main module cases may be module cases connected to each otherthrough the hinge HC. When the hinge HC is implemented, the hinge HC maybe implemented in the module cases 14 u and 14 d or be implemented inthe controller case 14 cc.

As described above, the wiring passage in the first direction d1 mayexist through the hinge HC, and driving of the plurality of actuatorsembedded in the module cases of the first and second rows may becontrolled by one controller.

The module case 14 u may be bent by an angle ag1 with respect to themodule case 14 d through the hinge HC. Similarly, the module case 14 dmay also be bent by an angle ag2 with respect to the module case 14 uthrough the hinge HC.

Each of the angles ag1 and ag2 may be determined within a range of −5degrees to +5 degrees. When the tactile stimulation providing apparatus10 is worn, magnitudes of the angles ag1 and ag2 may be determined inreal time according to the degree of winding of the body 9 of the user.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a disposition of the controller of thetactile stimulation providing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the module case 14 d that is the above-describedmain module case further includes the controller case 14 cc at the topthereof. Although not shown, when the size of the controller case isinsufficient, the module case 14 u may also include the controller case.The above-described controller may be located in the form of a PCB, anFPCB, an IC, or the like at the inside of the controller case 14 cc. Insome embodiments, the controller may receive an actuator control commandinput through the existing wireless communication techniques includingBluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the like or through the existing wiredcommunication techniques. The controller case 14 cc may further includea battery therein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating a module case according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the module case and two actuator casesaccording to the second embodiment are illustrated. The module caseincludes an upper case 211 and a lower case 212, and the two actuatorcases include caps 213 c and 214 c and bases 213 b and 214 b,respectively.

In the actuator cases of the second embodiment, each of the caps 213 cand 214 c includes an actuator accommodating space, and each of thebases 213 b and 214 b is configured to have a minimum size andthickness. Thus, actuators are located closer to the body of the user,and vibrations of the actuators can be better transferred to the body 9of the user through the bases 213 b and 214 b.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a partial section of the module caseaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , there is illustrated a section when elasticmembers 213 ue and 213 de and an actuator 213 ac are further included inthe module case shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the elasticmember 213 ue does not correspond to the cap 213 c to be fitted to theshape of the cap 213 c. The cap 213 c may be put on an opening of theelastic member 213 de through a protrusion part at an upper sidethereof, and be fixed between the elastic member 213 de and the elasticmember 213 ue.

The actuator 213 ac and an electrical connection thereof are identicalor similar to those described in the first embodiment, and therefore,their descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a tactile stimulation providing apparatusmounted around an arm of a user according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the tactile stimulation providing apparatus 30according to the third embodiment of the present invention a pluralityof actuator cases 311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, 324, 331, 332, and333 and a plurality of tubes t1, t2, t3, and t4.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus 30 may include a pluralityof actuator cases arranged in a matrix form. For example, actuator cases311, 312, 313, and 314 may constitute a first row, actuator cases 321,322, 323, and 324 may constitute a second row, and actuator cases 331,332, and 333 may constitute a third row.

Each of the actuator cases may include at least one insertion hole at aside thereof. For example, each of the actuator cases 311, 312, 313, and314 constituting the first row may include three insertion holesincluding two insertion holes in the extension direction of the firstrow and one insertion hole in the direction in which the second row islocated. In addition, each of the actuator cases 321, 322, 323, and 324constituting the second row may include four insertion holes includingtwo insertion holes in the extension direction of the second row, oneinsertion hole in the direction in which the first row is located, andone insertion hole in the direction in which the third row is located.In addition, each of the actuator cases 331, 332, and 333 constitutingthe third row may include three insertion holes including two insertionholes in the extension direction of the third row and one insertion holein the direction in which the second row is located.

A corresponding tube is inserted and fixed to the insertion hole. Eachactuator case may share the tube with an adjacent actuator case, to beconnected to the adjacent actuator case.

For example, the actuator case 322 may share the tube t1 with theactuator case 321, to be connected to each other, share the tube t2 withthe actuator case 332, to the connected to each other, share the tube t3with the actuator case 323, to be connected to each other, and share thetube t4 with the actuator case 312, to be connected to each other.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus 30 may further include acontroller for controlling driving of a plurality of actuators. Thecontroller may be electrically connected to the plurality of actuatorsthrough the plurality of tubes. That is, the controller may beelectrically connected to the plurality of actuators through a wire, anFPCB, or the like, which is inserted into the plurality of tubes.

The controller may be located in a space on a plane, which is defined byat least four actuator cases. For example, the controller may be locatedin a space 31 on a plane, which has the actuator cases 321, 323, 313,and 311 respectively as vertices. Although not shown, a separatecontroller case for the controller may be provided in the space 31.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an actuator case according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the actuator case 322 among the plurality ofactuator cases of FIG. 10 is exemplarily illustrated.

The actuator case 322 includes a cap 322 c constituting an upper caseand a base 322 b constituting a lower case.

The base 322 b may include an actuator accommodating space 322 acs intowhich the actuator 322 ac can be inserted.

The base 322 b may include grooves 322 t 1 o and 322 t 3 o disposed inone direction and grooves 322 t 2 o and 322 t 4 o disposed in adirection orthogonal to the one direction. The grooves 322 t 1 o, 322 t2 o, 322 t 3 o, and 322 t 4 o are matched to corresponding grooves ofthe cap 322 c, to constitute insertion holes into which the tubes t1,t2, t3, and t4 are inserted, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 11 , in the third embodiment, the groove 322 t 2 o and322 t 4 o are disconnected from the actuator accommodating space 322acs, but the groove 322 t 1 o and 322 t 3 o may be connected to theactuator accommodating space 322 acs. The disconnection and connectionmay be determined according to a predetermined wiring extensiondirection. As shown in FIG. 11 , a wire 322 w of the actuator 322 ac andwires of the other actuators of the second row may be connected to thecontroller through the tubes t1 and t3.

In the third embodiment, the plurality of tubes t1, t2, t3, and t4 arenot components configured integrally but may be individual componentsseparate from each other. For example, the tube t1 is used only toconnect the actuator case 322 and the actuator case 321, and may not beused to connect other actuator cases.

Each of the tubes t1, t2, t3, and t4 may be made of at least onematerial including silicon, rubber, plastic, metal, and the like.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating a tactile stimulation providingapparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the tactile stimulation providingapparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present inventionincludes a grid-shaped tube structure 41 and a plurality of actuatorcases engaged with the tube structure 41. The tube structure 41 may havea grid shape extending in a third direction d3 and a fourth direction d4orthogonal to the third direction d3.

The tube structure 41 of the fourth embodiment is different from thetubes t1, t2, t3, and t4 of the third embodiment, which are separatedfrom each other, in that the tube structure 41 is a structure in whichall tubes are connected without assistance of the actuator cases. Thetube structure 41 of the fourth embodiment may be integrally formed. Inanother embodiment, the tube structure 41 may be formed by forming aplurality of straight tubes extending for every row and a plurality ofstraight tubes extending for every column and then allowing the rows andcolumns to be engaged with each other, using grooves formed at gridintersection points.

In the fourth embodiment, a cap 42 c and a base 42 are verticallyengaged with each other at a grid intersection point of the tubestructure 41, so that an actuator case 42 of FIG. 14 can be fixed to thetube structure 41.

The tube structure 41 has a grid-shaped wiring passage therein, andtherefore, the plurality of actuators may be connected to a controllerthrough the wiring passage, using a wire, etc.

Like the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, the controller maybe located in a space 43 on a plane, which is defined by at least fouractuator cases.

The tactile stimulation providing apparatus 40 may include a hook part45 disposed at one end thereof and a ring-shaped actuator case 44disposed at the other end thereof (see FIGS. 17 and 18 ).

The ring-shaped actuator case 44 may have a base identical to that ofother actuator cases, but a portion of a cap 44 c of the ring-shapedactuator case 44 may include a ring part.

The hook part 45 is engaged with the ring part of the cap 44 c of thering-shaped actuator case 44, so that the tactile stimulation providingapparatus 40 can be fixed to a body of a user.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the actuator case according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the actuator case 42 includes a base 42 b and acap 42 c. Specifically, the base 42 b includes an actuator accommodatingspace 42 acs. The cap 42 c includes a tube accommodating space 42 ts atthe center thereof, and includes at least one insertion hole 42 to 1, 42to 2, 42 to 3, and 42 to 4 connected to the tube accommodating space 42ts at a side thereof.

In the actuator case 42, the tube accommodating space 42 ts and theinsertion holes 42 to 1, 42 to 2, 42 to 3, and 42 to 4 are engaged withthe tube structure 41 at a corresponding grid intersection point, sothat the relative position of the actuator case 42 with respect to thetube structure 41 can be fixed.

An actuator is located in the actuator accommodating space 42 acs, sothat the position of the actuator can be fixed by the lower base 42 band the upper tube structure 41.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views illustrating a coupling relationship betweenthe actuator case and the tube structure according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15 , a cap 422 c and a base 422 b are illustrated,which are engaged with each other at a grid intersection point 422 cp ofthe tube structure 41 according to the fourth embodiment.

The base 422 b may include an actuator accommodating space 422 acs inwhich an actuator 422 ac is to be accommodated.

The actuator 422 ac may include a wire for power transfer and control.The wire may be connected to the controller through the tube structure41. Although not shown, an opening through which the wire of theactuator 422 ac can pass may be formed in a lower surface of the tubestructure 41, which corresponds to the grid intersection point 422 cp.

Referring to FIG. 16 , it can be seen that the actuator cases 422 c and422 b and the tube structure 41 are coupled to each other.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings for illustrativepurposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variousmodifications and equivalent embodiments are possible, without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the substantialtechnical protection scope of the present invention will be defined bythe appended claims.

1. A tactile stimulation providing apparatus comprising a plurality ofactuators, a plurality of actuator cases respectively corresponding tothe plurality of actuators, and a plurality of module cases eachincluding at least one of the actuator cases, wherein each of theactuator cases includes: a cap covering an upper portion of acorresponding actuator; and a base covering a lower portion of theactuator, the base being connected to the cap to fix the actuator, andwherein the base is exposed to the outside through an opening formed ina lower surface of a corresponding module case.
 2. The tactilestimulation providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap is connectedto an upper surface of the corresponding module case with a firstelastic member interposed therebetween, and the base is connected to thelower surface of the corresponding module case with a second elasticmember interposed therebetween.
 3. The tactile stimulation providingapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the module cases includes two ofthe actuator cases, which are disposed in a first direction.
 4. Thetactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of themodule cases includes at least one side opening disposed in a seconddirection different from the first direction.
 5. The tactile stimulationproviding apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the module casesincludes a first wiring passage extending in the second directionthrough the side opening, and wherein the module case shares the firstwiring passage with an adjacent module case, to be connected to theadjacent module case.
 6. The tactile stimulation providing apparatus ofclaim 5, further comprising a controller for controlling driving of theplurality of actuators, wherein the controller is electrically connectedto the plurality of actuators through the first wiring passage.
 7. Thetactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 6, wherein two modulecases among the plurality of module cases are connected to each other bysharing a second wiring passage extending in the first direction.
 8. Thetactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the twomodule cases are connected to each other through a hinge.
 9. The tactilestimulation providing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality ofmodule cases includes a first row of module cases arranged in the seconddirection and a second row of module cases arranged in the seconddirection.
 10. The tactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 9,wherein one of the two module cases connected through the hinge is oneof the first row of module cases, and wherein the other of the twomodule cases connected through the hinge is one of the second row ofmodule cases.
 11. The tactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim10, further comprising a controller case including the controller,wherein the controller case is disposed at a top of at least one of thetwo module cases connected through the hinge.
 12. The tactilestimulation providing apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the modulecases includes at least one band extending in the second direction, andwherein the band flexibly connects adjacent module cases.
 13. Thetactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 12, wherein a length ofthe first wiring passage is longer than a length of the band.
 14. Thetactile stimulation providing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the firstwiring passage is in a shape having a plurality of wrinkles.